The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-03
DAKOTA TERRITORY.


Statehood Is Not Expected at the Hands of
Democratic Administration.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, April 2.-Governor-e elect A. G.
Mellette of the Estate" of D4tota. has been in
for people of his country. He was asked if he
thought South Dakota would become State by
act OF the present Congress, and said:
mo; have no hopes for anything for our
country ct the hands of the Fiftieth Congress.
Nor do believe we will get statehood during
the prevalence of Democratic administration,
and will tell you why. The territorial Lcgis-
lature appropriated million and half dollars
the last winter for the support of the institu
tions Much money will also go to the courts.
All OF these are under the control of the Gov
ernor and the President It is not to be pre-
sumed that the administration will cut off this
supply of patronage. The court officers are
appointed from the States, and are personal
friends of the President. Those for the terri
torial institutions are the friends of the Gov
ernor, and some come from the States. Don't
you see what superstructure TINS builds up for
the administrator 1t Yields an influence for
it in every State in the Union. In fact, do
not recall many States having SO much federal
patronage. directly and indirectly, as Dakota.
With this staring in the face we cannot
hope for relief, although it is our daily prayer.
How about that revolution in your Terri
tory-that threat to fight your way into state
hood if Congress does not invite you INF"
THAT is all fol-de-rol, replied the Governor,
with emphasis. THAT report was started by an
editor up in the northern part of the Territory,
where nearly all of the few enemies to statehood
are located. It was sent out by the regular press
reports, and then the editor took it al back,
said it was false but did not make the correction
In the press dispatches. 1t was great wrong to
the peaceabe citizens such nine-tenths of our
inhabitants are. No one thinks of fighting that
know of. We are simple resigned to our fate
but there will be day of reckoning, for we are
sure to come into statehood sooner or later"
Didn't the House, last winter offer to take
the whole Territory in Stater
at only talked of it. But we would rather
remain as we are than come in as whole State
Our country is too large, even for two States or
a State and Territory. To make it ali one
State. when there is little in the two sections
homogeneous one with the other would simply
be compromising our misery. No. presume we
will be kept out. purely political grounds, till
the other party gets in power"
SIS that same spirit of immigration into and
enterprise throughout the Territory prevailing
which existed few years ago9"
Eyes, and in an increased form. More miles
of railroad will be built there this summer than
have been built in any year in the past T owns
are springing into existence. cities are growing
up from villages and towns, like magic. We ex-
pect an enormous crop of wheat this season, and
it is being put into the ground at this time like
mad. Our spring is open. Ground has been
under the plow for weeks, and the grass is grow
ing in some sections We are going to prosper,
despite the refusal of Congress to make State
for Us. 1t seems that the prejudice against Da-
kota in the lower house of Congress- on account
of our request for statehood, is so strong that
any and all kinds of legislation is refused the
| Territory. Measures of a purely non political
character, of great interest TO locally, are re-
fused presume, because we want to have 8
| State"